Florida’s premier solar training school and internationally recognized safety science agency team up to provide exclusive certification course for electricians and PV installers.
Fort Lauderdale, FL March 30, 2012 – From June 18 to 22 of this year, Florida-based US Solar Institute (USSI) will offer a joint solar PV installation course with Underwriters Laboratories (UL) held at the newly renovated USSI campus. Offered primarily for electricians, electrical inspectors, and PV technicians, looking to move beyond a fundamental understanding of solar, the 5-day UL Certified Solar Installer Preparation Course will be co-taught by USSI’s President and Lead Instructor, Ray Johnson, and UL’s Senior Engineering Instructor, Mark C. Ode.
As a partner of UL Knowledge Services Corporation, USSI designed this advanced course to address many of the challenges installers and electricians face when navigating the 2011 National Electric Code (NEC). According to Johnson, “Few states require licensing and certification for PV installation, but we want our students to fully appreciate how to safely design, install, maintain, and operate electrical solar PV equipment.”
The 5-day training will include over 30kW’s of grid-tied, bi-modal, and off-grid live operating system instruction with state-of-the-art solar equipment provided by SMA, Outback, SolarEdge, EnPhase, Xantrex, Magnum, Morningstar, MidNite Solar, Blue Sky Energy Inc., Unirac, Quick Mount PV, Unistrut, Solar Pathfinder, and DayStar Inc.
Topics covered will include engineering solar system size, cost and performance, 2011 NEC article 690, safety start-up sequences, system maintenance and operation, BOS type, size and selection, solar batteries, solar street lighting, and portable off-grid solar.
Those who successfully complete the special advanced PV training will be qualified to sit for the UL Certified Solar Installer Examination, offered on the last day of the course. This certification is currently the highest individual recognition offered within the solar industry.
A seasoned solar veteran and one of the world’s foremost electricians, Mark Ode brings 25 years of experience as a National Electric Code Book panelist. Johnson comments, “I’m thrilled to teach side-by-side with Mark again.” Ode and Johnson collaborated on the curriculum developed for UL University in 2010. He adds, “This is the first time anyone has collaborated on a course like this. Currently, no other programs in the country offer this type of training.”
This one-time UL Certified Solar Installer Preparation Course will take place from June 18-22, 2012 at a special discounted rate of $1,695 per student. Those who wish to sit for the UL Certified Solar Installer Exam must sign-up by May 22. For full registration and payment details, visit: UL Certified Solar Installer Preparation Course Registration For other USSI solar PV installation training courses, visit: www.ussolarinstitute.com.
About US Solar Institute
US Solar Institute is licensed by the Florida Department of Education to offer PV diplomas, the Florida Department of Businesses and Professional Regulation, and the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board as a continuing education provider. US Solar Institute is also a partner of Underwriter Laboratories and a NABCEP PV Exam provider.
About Underwriters Laboratories
UL is a global, independent organization dedicated to promoting safer living and working environments through the application of safety science and hazard-based safety engineering. Its expertise and certification are recognized by NFPA, OSHA, IAEI, IBEW, AECET, and ANSI.
